From Tesla to Starlink, why Elon Musk is wooing India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
In April this year, Musk was scheduled to travel to India, where he was to meet PM Modi, and many had speculated that it would, among others see the entry of the EV maker in the country. But the meeting never took place as Musk was forced to cancel his trip at the last moment, with him promising to visit the country later this year.
Tesla is the world's largest Electric Vehicle (EV) maker, with a global market share was 19.9 per cent in 2023. The American EV giant which sold 1.81 million cars globally last year is missing out on a huge market.
That is because India which is one of the fastest-growing markets for EVs has kept Tesla at arm's length.
CREDIT: AFP
Why Tesla has not been able to enter India
And it is not because Tesla is not trying, in fact, they have been for close to a decade. But the Indian government's insistence on local manufacturing has kept Tesla away from India so far.
This hasn't stopped Tesla CEO Musk from trying to convince the Indian government to let his company in.
Modi-Musk meeting that did not happen
The two have met several times and have expressed their admiration for the other. In April this year, Musk was scheduled to travel to India, where he was to meet PM Modi, and many had speculated that it would, among others see the entry of the EV maker in the country. But the meeting never took place as Musk was forced to cancel his trip at the last moment, with him promising to visit the country later this year.
Great meeting you today @elonmusk! We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality. https://t.co/r0mzwNbTyN pic.twitter.com/IVwOy5SlMV
¡ª Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2023
CREDIT: REUTERS
Social media interactions
Since then Musk has congratulated PM Modi twice, in June for his Lok Sabha Election victory and in July for becoming the most followed world leader on X.
Appreciate your greetings @elonmusk. The talented Indian youth, our demography, predictable policies and stable democratic polity will continue to provide the business environment for all our partners. https://t.co/NJ6XembkyB
¡ª Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 8, 2024
Congratulations PM @NarendraModi on being the most followed world leader!
¡ª Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 19, 2024
Also read: With 100 million followers, Narendra Modi becomes most followed leader on X
Modi's photo with Musk, sons
In August, an old photo had gone viral on X, showing the Indian PM interacting with Musk's children.
Elon Musk & his kids with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. pic.twitter.com/1jH1DZXmXi
¡ª DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) August 2, 2024
Will Starlink come to India
Another major project Musk wants to bring to India is Starlink. But unlike Tesla, the road for the satellite-based internet service looks cleared for its entry into India.
Starlink is reportedly close to receiving the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite or GMPCS licence from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
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Bobins Abraham is the Assistant News Editor at Indiatimes. He has more than twelve years of experience in TV and digital journalism. An avid student of history and geopolitics, he is a conservationist and environmentalist at heart. He writes on environment, sustainability, human-animal conflict and more.
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